Bill would affect taxes related to oil, gas wells

November 22, 2013 | AP A bill in Lansing would exempt things like piping, machinery, tanks and other equipment used to develop oil and gas wells from personal property taxes.

The Detroit Free Press reports (http://on.freep.com/1dnbyqq ) leaders of some of Michigan's poorest counties in the northern Lower Peninsula say the change would cost their communities millions of dollars while giving a tax break to oil and gas companies.

The Michigan Oil and Gas Association says the bill would be a fix from the Legislature to an administrative error made by state officials.

The bill was introduced by Republican state Sen. Jack Brandenburg of Macomb County's Harrison Township. He's chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and the bill also would exempt drilling costs. The change would be retroactive to 2012.